Islamabad (Web Desk): Twenty-three Pakistani soldiers have been martyred, and more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been killed in clashes along the Pak-Afghan border after an unprovoked attack from the Afghan side, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday.
The statement follows overnight skirmishes between the two sides that began "on the night of October 11/12, 2025, when Afghan Taliban militants and India-backed Fitna-al-Khawarij launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan along the Pak-Afghan border," the ISPR report said.
Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term used by the Pakistani state for terrorist groups belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna-al-Hindustan refers to terrorist organizations operating in Balochistan.
"During the overnight clashes, 23 brave sons of Pakistan embraced martyrdom while defending the territorial integrity of our beloved country against this audacious action. Meanwhile, 29 soldiers were injured," the statement added.
The ISPR also mentioned that, according to credible intelligence and damage assessments, more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists were neutralized, with the number of injured terrorists being significantly higher.
Afghanistan claims that the attack was a "retaliatory" action in response to alleged Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory earlier this week. However, Islamabad has not confirmed its involvement in the airstrikes and continues to call on Kabul to stop harboring the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan on its soil.
Despite Afghanistan's repeated denials of allowing terrorist groups to operate from its territory, the ISPR statement described the attack as "cowardly" and stated that it was aimed at destabilizing the border areas to "facilitate terrorism and further the malicious designs of terrorist organizations."
"Exercising the right of self-defense, Pakistan’s vigilant armed forces decisively repelled the assault along the entire border, inflicting heavy casualties on Taliban forces and affiliated extremists," the ISPR added.
Pakistan’s military carried out precision strikes and physical raids targeting Taliban camps, posts, terrorist training facilities, and support networks operating from Afghan territory, including those linked to Fitna-al-Khawarij, Fitna-al-Hindustan, and ISKP/Daesh.
"All possible measures were taken to minimize collateral damage and protect civilian lives," the statement emphasized.
The ISPR further revealed that several Taliban locations along the border were destroyed as a result of the ongoing operations. "21 hostile positions on the Afghan side of the border were briefly captured, and multiple terrorist training camps used to plan and carry out attacks against Pakistan were neutralized," the statement said.
"The infrastructure damage to Taliban posts, camps, headquarters, and terrorist support networks is extensive, spanning from tactical to operational depths along the border," it continued.
The ISPR reassured that Pakistan’s armed forces remain steadfast in their readiness to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens. "Our commitment to defend Pakistan’s territorial integrity and to defeat those who threaten our security is unwavering."
It also noted that while the people of Pakistan prefer constructive diplomacy and dialogue over violence, "we will not tolerate the treacherous use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan."
"We have noted with concern that this serious provocation has occurred during the visit of the Afghan Taliban foreign minister to India, the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region," the statement said.
In the interest of regional peace and security, Pakistan called on the Taliban government to take immediate and verifiable actions to neutralize terrorist groups, including Fitna-al-Khawarij, Fitna-al-Hindustan, and ISKP/Daesh, operating from their territory.
"If the Taliban government continues to support terrorist organizations in conjunction with India for the shortsighted objective of destabilizing the region, the people and state of Pakistan will not rest until the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eliminated."
Afghan Posts Targeted by Pakistani Army
Earlier, state broadcaster PTV News reported that the Pakistan Army successfully launched strikes on several Afghan posts. According to sources, the army targeted Durrani Camp, Manojba Camp Battalion Headquarters, Manojba Camp-2, and Ghaznali Headquarters in the Noshki Sector, completely neutralizing these targets.
"Dozens of Taliban militants and Khwarij fighters stationed in these camps and headquarters were reportedly killed," the report added.
Security sources also revealed that the army destroyed the Afghan Taliban’s "most important Asmatullah Karar Camp" at Spin Boldak, a key site used to launch terrorist activities against Pakistan. "Taliban and Khwarij fighters hiding in the camp suffered heavy losses," the sources confirmed.
Furthermore, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan shared footage of a "second engagement and destruction" of the Asmatullah Karar camp at Spin Boldak, confirming the ongoing military efforts to target terrorist infrastructure.